The Senate overwhelmingly voted to pass the Violence Against Women Act today, 78-22. Opposition to the bill came entirely from Republicans, including both Texas Sens. Ted Cruz and John Cornyn.

Sean Rushton, a spokesman for Cruz, said the new senator has led the fight against violent crime in Texas, especially sexual predators.

“Nevertheless, he voted against this federal law because stopping and punishing violent criminals is primarily a state responsibility, and the federal government does not need to be dictating state criminal law,” Rushton said.

In a statement, Cornyn said he has been a longtime advocate for victims’ rights and the Violence Against Women Act. He takes issue with the bill because he believes it violates the constitution by allowing American citizens to be tried in tribal courts.

“This is a bill that could do so much good in the battle for victims’ rights. Unfortunately the bill that passed today would take away fundamental constitutional rights from certain citizens in order to satisfy the unconstitutional demands of a few.” Cornyn said.

During the discussion on the floor yesterday, Cornyn said he had done everything in his power to see the bill passed. Last week, he voted for a revised version of the reauthorization bill that would have altered the terms as they relate to tribal courts.

“For now I cannot, in good conscience, vote for a bill that violates the U.S. Constitution. I cannot, in good conscience and in fidelity to my oath of office, vote for a provision that I know is unconstitutional. I will, however, vote for the alternative bill that is offered by Senator Grassley which eliminates this unconstitutional provision. It reauthorizes the Violence Against Women Act and contains the SAFER Act which addresses this backlog of untested rape kits.” Cornyn said on the Senate floor on February 7th.

Cornyn attempted to work with Democrats and tribal groups to make the language of the bill such that he could support it, aides say, but Democrats and tribal groups refused to compromise.

Cornyn drafted an amendment that would allow Native American tribes to prosecute U.S. citizens, given the tribal courts abide by the constitution and allow all convictions to be appealed in the Federal courts.

“Unfortunately that good-faith effort to try to find a solution has run into a brick wall of opposition, and the chairman has decided to not change the controversial language that would deny certain Americans full protection of the Bill of Rights. What I cannot understand is why anyone would want to pick a political fight and not find a solution if a solution is at hand and it makes so much sense,” Cornyn said.

The passage of VAWA now depends on the House of Representatives. Cornyn says he hopes to see the House correct the mistakes he has mentioned, but Democrats are pushing for painless passage.

“Playing politics with domestic violence is inexcusable. One hundred and forty two women in Texas were killed by their intimate partner in 2010. That’s one hundred and forty-two mothers, daughters, or sisters. I’m hopeful that the House will do the right thing for our families,” Said Rep. Pete Gallego, D-Alpine.

“We are working to protect victims – all victims – of domestic and sexual violence. I urge all Senators to look past the narrow, ideological opposition of some and join with us. That is what the former senior Senator from Texas, Senator Hutchison, did last year when her Republican substitute was rejected by the Senate,” Leahy said in a statement on February 11th.

Seventeen House Republicans sent a letter yesterday to Speaker John Boehner and Majority Leader Eric Cantor saying the bipartisan plan to reauthorize VAWA is more important than ever.

Here is the statement released by Cruz’s office Tuesday evening:

For many years, Senator Cruz has worked in law enforcement, helping lead the fight to ensure that violent criminals—and especially sexual predators who target women and children—should face the very strictest punishment. Senator Cruz has personally argued and successfully defended the Texas Sexually Violent Predator Civil Commitment law before the Texas Supreme Court, and he has repeatedly argued before the U.S. Supreme Court in support of the very strictest punishments for rapists and violent criminals who target women and children. Nevertheless, he voted against this federal law because stopping and punishing violent criminals is primarily a state responsibility, and the federal government does not need to be dictating state criminal law.

The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee took aim at Cornyn and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, who also voted against final passage of the Violence Against Women Act.

“Sens. McConnell and Cornyn should be ashamed of themselves for their unconscionable vote against helping to protect victims of domestic violence and sexual assault,” said DSCC spokesman Justin Barasky. “This vote smacks of the very worst elements of the radical right wing of the Republican Party, and for Mitch McConnell and John Cornyn to be so thoroughly wedded to partisan political gridlock that they can’t even bring themselves to stand up for the most vulnerable women in their respective states is tantamount to their inability to continue representing their states.”